A laundry treating appliance having a tub, rotatable drum, at least one transmitter coil, at least one ring shaped housing on the drum perimeter and having an annular channel therein and at least one balancing unit disposed in the channel. The balancing unit has a receiver coil configured to receive wireless power from the transmitter coil and an actuator powered by the receiver coil, a sensing element to detect a position of the balancing unit in the housing, a balancing control unit configured to control the positioning of the balancing unit by driving the transmitter coil to send power to the receiver coil to operate the actuator on a friction force element to change the friction between the housing and the balancing unit.
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2. The laundry treating appliance of claim 1, wherein the balancing control unit is configured to drive the transmitter coil to control the position of the at least one balancing unit in the at least one ring shape housing based on one or more of: the position of the at least one balancing unit in the housing, an unbalance level of the drum, a drum position, and a drum speed.
Laundry treating appliances, such as washing machines and dryers, often experience imbalances during operation, leading to excessive vibrations, noise, and potential damage. To address this, a laundry treating appliance incorporates a balancing system that dynamically adjusts the position of balancing units within a ring-shaped housing to counteract drum imbalances. The system includes a transmitter coil and a balancing control unit that regulates the position of the balancing units based on multiple factors. These factors include the current position of the balancing units within the housing, the severity of the drum's unbalance, the drum's rotational position, and its speed. By continuously monitoring and adjusting these parameters, the system ensures optimal balancing, reducing vibrations and improving appliance performance. The balancing units are magnetically coupled to the transmitter coil, allowing precise control over their movement to compensate for varying load distributions within the drum. This adaptive approach enhances stability and efficiency during laundry cycles.
4. The laundry treating appliance according to claim 3, wherein the receiver coil windings and the transmitter coil windings are equidistant from the drum rotation axis in a direction radial to the drum rotation axis.
This invention relates to a laundry treating appliance, specifically addressing the efficient and balanced wireless power transfer to a rotating drum. The problem being solved is the need for reliable wireless power transmission to components within the drum, such as sensors or actuators, without mechanical connections that could wear out or fail over time. The appliance includes a drum rotatable about a drum rotation axis, a transmitter coil assembly with transmitter coil windings, and a receiver coil assembly with receiver coil windings. The transmitter coil assembly is positioned to wirelessly transfer power to the receiver coil assembly, which is mounted to the drum. To ensure optimal power transfer and minimize imbalance during rotation, the receiver coil windings and the transmitter coil windings are positioned at equal distances from the drum rotation axis in a radial direction. This equidistant arrangement helps maintain rotational balance, reducing vibrations and wear while ensuring consistent power transfer as the drum rotates. The invention improves the reliability and efficiency of wireless power systems in laundry appliances by eliminating mechanical connections and ensuring balanced operation.
5. The laundry treating appliance according to claim 1, wherein the friction element comprises a balancing unit wheel, and the actuator is configured to change a braking force of the balancing unit wheel.
A laundry treating appliance includes a rotating drum for holding laundry and a friction element that interacts with the drum to control its motion. The friction element comprises a balancing unit wheel, which is a rotating component designed to stabilize the drum during operation. An actuator is connected to the balancing unit wheel and is configured to adjust the braking force applied to the wheel. By varying this braking force, the actuator can modify the rotational resistance of the wheel, thereby influencing the drum's movement. This adjustment allows for precise control over the drum's speed and stability, particularly during spin cycles where imbalances can occur. The system helps prevent excessive vibrations and ensures efficient laundry treatment by dynamically adapting to changing conditions within the drum. The balancing unit wheel and actuator work together to maintain optimal performance and reduce wear on the appliance.
6. The laundry treating appliance according to claim 1, wherein the friction element comprises a portion of the actuator configured to push on one side of the housing.
A laundry treating appliance includes a housing and an actuator with a friction element. The friction element is a portion of the actuator designed to push against one side of the housing. This configuration helps control movement or positioning of components within the appliance, such as during operation or maintenance. The friction element may be integrated into the actuator to provide mechanical stability or to facilitate precise adjustments. The appliance may include additional features, such as a drum for holding laundry, a motor for driving the drum, and a control system for managing cycles. The friction element's interaction with the housing ensures proper alignment and reduces unwanted vibrations or misalignment during use. This design improves the appliance's durability and performance by maintaining structural integrity under operational stresses. The actuator may be part of a larger mechanism that adjusts or secures components within the appliance, ensuring consistent and reliable operation. The friction element's placement and function contribute to the overall efficiency and longevity of the laundry treating appliance.
7. The Laundry treating appliance according to claim 1, wherein the friction element comprises a balancing unit wheel, and the actuator comprises an electromagnetic brake having an armature plate configured to act on a hub of the balancing unit wheel.
A laundry treating appliance includes a friction element and an actuator to control the rotation of a balancing unit wheel. The balancing unit wheel is part of a balancing system designed to reduce vibrations during operation. The actuator includes an electromagnetic brake with an armature plate that engages with the hub of the balancing unit wheel. When activated, the electromagnetic brake applies a braking force to the hub, slowing or stopping the rotation of the balancing unit wheel. This allows precise control over the wheel's movement, helping to stabilize the appliance during spin cycles or other high-speed operations. The system may also include sensors to monitor the wheel's position or speed, enabling adaptive adjustments to maintain balance. The electromagnetic brake provides a reliable and responsive mechanism for managing rotational dynamics, improving overall appliance performance and reducing wear on mechanical components. The design ensures efficient energy use while maintaining effective vibration control.
8. The laundry treating appliance according to claim 7, wherein the friction element comprises a balancing unit wheel, and the actuator comprises an electrically-controlled clutch connecting a hub of the balancing unit wheel with a geared drive system.
A laundry treating appliance, such as a washing machine or dryer, includes a drum for holding laundry and a balancing unit wheel designed to reduce vibrations during operation. The balancing unit wheel is connected to a geared drive system via an electrically-controlled clutch. The clutch selectively engages or disengages the balancing unit wheel from the drive system, allowing for controlled movement to counteract imbalances in the drum. This mechanism helps stabilize the appliance during spin cycles, reducing noise and wear. The balancing unit wheel may be positioned near the drum to effectively counteract rotational imbalances. The electrically-controlled clutch ensures precise timing and engagement, improving efficiency and performance. This design addresses the problem of excessive vibrations in laundry appliances, which can lead to mechanical stress, noise, and premature failure of components. By dynamically adjusting the balancing unit wheel's interaction with the drive system, the appliance maintains stability and extends its operational lifespan.
9. The laundry treating appliance according to claim 1, wherein the friction element comprises a balancing unit wheel, and the actuator comprises an electromagnetic actuator having a pin configured to engage a side opening in the balancing unit wheel.
A laundry treating appliance includes a drum for holding laundry and a friction element that interacts with the drum to control its motion. The friction element comprises a balancing unit wheel, which is a rotating component designed to stabilize the drum during operation. An actuator is provided to engage and disengage the friction element. The actuator is an electromagnetic device with a pin that extends to engage a side opening in the balancing unit wheel. When activated, the pin locks the wheel in place, preventing rotation and thereby controlling the drum's movement. This mechanism helps reduce vibrations and improves the appliance's stability during high-speed cycles, such as spinning. The electromagnetic actuator allows for precise and rapid engagement, ensuring efficient operation. The system is particularly useful in front-loading washing machines and dryers where drum stability is critical. The invention addresses the problem of excessive vibrations and imbalances in laundry treating appliances, enhancing performance and durability.
10. The laundry treating appliance according to claim 1, wherein the sensing element comprises at least one coil positioned on a stationary part of the appliance and configured to detect a voltage induced in the transmitter coil by the balancing unit receiver coil current.
A laundry treating appliance includes a sensing element designed to monitor the operation of a balancing unit within the appliance. The sensing element comprises at least one coil positioned on a stationary part of the appliance, such as the cabinet or frame. This coil is configured to detect a voltage induced in a transmitter coil by the current flowing through a receiver coil in the balancing unit. The balancing unit is responsible for stabilizing the drum during operation, particularly during high-speed spinning cycles, to prevent excessive vibrations. The sensing element's coil detects the induced voltage, which can be used to monitor the performance of the balancing unit, ensuring proper operation and detecting any imbalances or malfunctions. This feedback allows the appliance to adjust its operations dynamically, improving efficiency and reducing wear on the drum and other components. The system enhances the appliance's ability to maintain balance, leading to quieter and more stable operation.
11. The laundry treating appliance according to claim 1, wherein the sensing element comprises an accelerometer positioned in the balancing unit, and wherein the position of the at least one balancing unit is calculated by a direction of a gravitational force.
A laundry treating appliance includes a balancing unit with an accelerometer to detect and correct imbalances during operation. The accelerometer is positioned within the balancing unit to measure gravitational force direction, enabling precise calculation of the unit's position. This allows the appliance to dynamically adjust the balancing unit to counteract imbalances caused by unevenly distributed laundry loads, improving stability and reducing vibration. The system may include multiple balancing units, each equipped with an accelerometer, to provide comprehensive load distribution monitoring and correction. The accelerometer data is processed to determine the optimal position for the balancing unit, ensuring efficient and effective balance maintenance throughout the laundry cycle. This technology addresses the problem of excessive vibration and noise in laundry appliances due to uneven load distribution, enhancing performance and user experience.
12. The laundry treating appliance according to claim 1, wherein the sensing element comprises a first accelerometer in a first balancing unit and the position of the at least one balancing unit in the housing is determined by a phase difference between a respective acceleration vector of the first accelerometer and a respective acceleration vector of a second accelerometer in a second balancing unit.
This invention relates to laundry treating appliances, specifically addressing the challenge of accurately determining the position of balancing units within the appliance housing to improve stability and performance during operation. The system includes at least one balancing unit mounted within the housing of the appliance, where each balancing unit contains an accelerometer. The sensing element comprises a first accelerometer in a first balancing unit, and the position of the balancing unit is determined by analyzing the phase difference between the acceleration vectors of the first accelerometer and a second accelerometer in a second balancing unit. By comparing these acceleration vectors, the system can precisely locate the balancing unit's position, enabling real-time adjustments to maintain balance and reduce vibrations during laundry cycles. This approach enhances the appliance's efficiency and durability by dynamically compensating for imbalances caused by unevenly distributed laundry loads. The use of multiple accelerometers allows for accurate phase-based position detection, improving the overall stability of the appliance.
13. The laundry treating appliance according to claim 1, wherein the at least one receiver coil comprises a plurality of receiver coils configured to form a resonant circuit.
A laundry treating appliance includes a resonant circuit formed by multiple receiver coils. The appliance is designed to improve energy transfer efficiency in inductive power transfer systems, particularly for laundry machines that use wireless charging or inductive heating. The resonant circuit enhances the coupling between the transmitter and receiver coils, allowing for more efficient power transfer to components such as heating elements or motors. The multiple receiver coils are arranged to optimize magnetic field alignment and reduce energy loss, ensuring reliable operation. This configuration addresses challenges in maintaining consistent power delivery in dynamic environments like moving laundry drums. The resonant circuit may also include tuning capacitors to adjust the resonant frequency, improving performance across different load conditions. The system ensures stable power transfer even with variations in coil positioning or environmental interference, making it suitable for high-efficiency laundry appliances.
14. The laundry treating appliance according to claim 13, wherein a first balancing unit comprises at least one receiver coils configured to form a first resonant circuit having a first resonance frequency, and a second balancing unit comprises at least one receiver coil configured to form a second resonant circuit having a second resonance frequency, wherein the second resonance frequency is different from the first resonance frequency.
A laundry treating appliance includes a drum for holding laundry and a system for balancing the drum during operation to reduce vibrations. The appliance has at least two balancing units, each containing receiver coils that form resonant circuits. The first balancing unit includes one or more receiver coils forming a first resonant circuit with a first resonance frequency. The second balancing unit includes one or more receiver coils forming a second resonant circuit with a second resonance frequency, where the second resonance frequency differs from the first. This design allows the appliance to dynamically adjust balancing performance by leveraging different resonant frequencies in each unit, improving stability and reducing vibrations during laundry cycles. The system may also include a transmitter coil to induce currents in the receiver coils, enhancing the balancing effect. The differing resonance frequencies enable targeted control over the balancing process, addressing imbalances more effectively. The appliance may further include a controller to monitor and adjust the balancing units based on detected vibrations or drum motion, ensuring optimal performance. This approach improves energy efficiency and reduces wear on the appliance by minimizing excessive vibrations.
15. The laundry treating appliance according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter coil is configured to transfer at wireless electrical power at at least two different power levels.
A laundry treating appliance includes a transmitter coil designed to wirelessly transfer electrical power to a receiver coil in a detachable component, such as a detergent dispenser or a water softening cartridge. The transmitter coil is configured to operate at at least two distinct power levels, allowing the appliance to adjust the power output based on the requirements of the detachable component. This feature enables efficient power transfer while accommodating varying energy demands of different components. The system may include a controller that monitors the power transfer and dynamically selects the appropriate power level to ensure optimal performance and energy efficiency. The detachable component may contain a receiver coil that receives the wirelessly transmitted power and converts it into usable electrical energy for its internal functions, such as dispensing detergent or regulating water softening processes. The appliance may also include a housing with a mounting interface to securely attach the detachable component, ensuring proper alignment of the transmitter and receiver coils for reliable power transfer. This design enhances the functionality and convenience of the laundry treating appliance by enabling wireless power delivery to modular components.
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June 12, 2020
May 7, 2024
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